Ahmedabad and Vadodara Near Gulf of Khambhat, India – January 26th, 2012

This wide-swath ASAR image shows the Gulf of Khambhat, an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat. It is about 80 miles in length, and divides the Kathiawar peninsula to the west from the eastern part of Gujarat state on the east. The Narmada and Tapti rivers empty into the Gulf.

Visible north of the gulf, near the top edge, is the city of Ahmedabad. It is the fifth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area of India, with a city population of approximately 5.6 million and metropolitan population of 6.4 million. The city is situated at an elevation of 53 metres (174 ft) from Mean Sea Level. The city sits on the banks of the River Sabarmati, in north-central Gujarat. It spans an area of 205 km2 (79 sq mi). The steady expansion of the Rann of Kutch (partially visible as a dark grey area in the upper left corner) threatens to increase desertification around the city area and much of the state.

Visible near the northern shores of the gulf is another city, Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, the third most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat. It is situated at an elevation of 39 metres (123 feet). It is the 18th largest city in India with an area of 148.95 km² and a population of 4.1 million according to the 2010-11 census. The city sits on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, in central Gujarat. The Vishwamitri frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water. The city is located on the fertile plain between the Mahi & Narmada Rivers.